Died On This Date (August 29, 2012) Bill Tillman / Blood, Sweat & Tears
themusicsover Bill Tillman
DOB Unknown – August 29, 2012
Bill Tillman was a gifted saxophone player and flutist who is perhaps best remembered for his three years playing in popular American rock band, Blood, Sweat & Tears. Like contemporaries, Chicago, BS&T pioneered the use of a horn section as a lead instrument in rock music. Tillman played in the group’s horn section between 1974 and 1977 and can be heard on eight of their albums. Born and raised in Texas, Tillman was recognized by the Texas Public School Board as the most outstanding musician of 1965. He soon hit the road, playing tours for the likes of Gladys Knight – as music director, the Coasters, Chuck Berry, and Roy Orbison. In 1978, Tillman began a two-year run as a soloist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He also released a handful of his own albums beginning in the ’80s and culminating with 2000’s Altogether. On August 29, 2012, Bill Tillman passed away after reportedly hitting his head during a fall in his bathroom. He was 65 and was awaiting a was apparently on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.
Gil Bernal was an esteemed jazz saxophonist and vocalist who, over a career that spanned some 60 years, became one of L.A.’s most in-demand session player, and played with a laundry list of the world’s greatest jazz musicians. Born in the Watts section of Los Angeles, Bernal grew up with future jazz greats Big Jay McNeely and 
Carl Gardner was the founder and front man of ’50s R&B group, the Coasters. Formed with 
Cornell Gunter was a founding member of the Platters, one of R&B/rock ‘n roll’s most successful vocal groups. He was ALSO a member of another popular group, the Coasters. With the Platters, which he helped form in 1953, Gunter sang lead on such hits as “You Send Me,” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” He left the group in 1960. With the Coasters, he sang on “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” and “Poison Ivy.” Gunter made several solo recordings throughout his career as well. Cornell Gunter was in the process of launching a comeback in Las Vegas when he was gunned down by an unknown assailant on February 26, 2009. The crime was never solved.